Defending champs JCT beat Churchill

But just when a part of the crowd started queueing at the exit, came three stunning goals in 15 minutes from defending champions JCT, Phagwara. The deadlock was broken, rivals Churchill Brothers (Goa) were stuck for a reply and their high-profile coach Amal Dutta was already talking of returning to the blackboard for a fresh strategy session.

The Goans were struggling today to mesh into a cohesive unit with the new coach having had just a week to familiarise himself with the players. And, against an unsure and fading opposition, JCT’s policy of lacing a doughty defence with the odd incisive counter — a department skilfully managed by Nigerian Abdul Lateef Seriki — was always bound to pay off.

For JCT, the opener by Hardip Singh and final strikes by Bhupinder Singh were just vindication of their policy to stick to local talent after the stars deserted them this season.

Hardip is turning out to be the find of this season. Soon after being recruited by the club, he won the player of the tournament in Rovers Cup last month after scoring the winner in the final against Churchill. Today, the youngster showed amazing control and ancticipation in trapping the ball on his chest, before banging in an acutely angled volley from the right of the post to open JCT’s goal-rush.

Then it was the turn of Bhupinder Singh to take over with two stunners in three minutes; the first was a swerving right footer from the left corner of the box that hit the net. In the very next move, he slid in almost as if from nowhere, to connect a neat cross from Manjinder on the left.